MSc Structural Steel Design

Key information

Overview

These courses provide training in the analysis, design and assessment of steel and composite (steel/concrete) structures.

All of our MSc courses are career-orientated and cover both theoretical background and practical design considerations. Lectures are given mainly by full-time staff but important contributions are made by visiting professors and guest lecturers who are eminent industrialists.

Many of our students continue their studies to undertake research towards a PhD.

Part-time study

All of our MSc courses are also offered on a part-time basis. Methods of study may include:

One day per week over three years

One and a half days per week over two years

Term release

The term release option normally involves attendance in the autumn term of one year and the spring term of a second year, but this may vary from one course to another, depending on your personal circumstances.

Study programme

All of our MSc courses last one calendar year, comprising two terms of taught material, assessed by examination and coursework, followed by a five-month period involving one or more design projects and/or a research dissertation.

All students undertake 12 modules: six in the autumn term, examined in January, and six in the spring term, examined after Easter. These modules include both core and elective material, enabling students to develop primary study themes.

A compulsory field trip takes place over the Easter break.

Professional accreditation

This degree is professionally accredited by the following organisations:

Structure

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Please note the curriculum of our postgraduate degrees is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

Structure

Autumn term

Core modules

You take all of the modules below.

Steel Components

Structural Analysis

Structural Stability

Structural Steel Technology

Optional modules

You take two optional modules from below.

Design of Timber and Masonry Structures

Finite Element Analysis

Structural Dynamics

Spring term

Core module

You take the module below.

Design of Steel Buildings

Optional modules

You take five optional modules from below.

Design of Bridges

Nonlinear Structural Analysis

Plated Structures

Seismic Design of Steel Structures

Structural Fire Engineering

Structural Reliability Theory

Theory of Shells

Summer term

Core module

Design Project – Dissertaion (incorporates Conceptual Group project)

The design project dissertation is undertaken with regular guidance from a College supervisor, by private study or by arrangement at your place of employment. Please contact the relevant course director for details of the part-time arrangements for each course.

Part-time study

Two-years part-time

You study the course outlined in your first year, but typically take three modules in each term (Autumn and Spring), which requires 1.5 days attendance per week. There is no commitment in the Summer term.

In your second year, you complete the remaining modules in the Autumn and Spring terms, before moving on to your projects in the Summer term.

Three-years part-time

You study the course outlined in your first year, but typically take two modules in each of term (Autumn and Spring). There is no commitment in the Summer term.

In your second year, you take two modules in the Autumn and Spring terms. Each year requires two half-days attendance per week.

The third year comprises of completing the remaining modules in the Autumn and Spring terms, and the projects in the Summer term.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Blackboard Learn

Group and Individual Coursework Exercises

Group coursework

Group design-project work

Individual research project

Individual research project

Lectures

Mentimeter

Online assignments and coursework

Panopto

Peer assessment

Seminars and Workshops

Tutorials

Assessment methods

A research dissertation or detailed design project

Group conceptual design project

Group projects and presentations

Individual and group coursework assignments

Written examinations

Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Admissions

Minimum academic requirement

A suitable grounding in mathematics is required, for example: A-level Mathematics grade A or B.

Relevant industrial/professional experience may also be considered.

International qualifications

The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.

We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications. For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed here are the minimum for entry to the College.

If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.

English language requirement (all applicants)

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.

How to apply

You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.

How to apply

Making an application

You can submit one application form per year of entry, and usually choose up to two courses.

ATAS certificate

An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.

Tuition fees and funding

The level of tuition fees you pay is based on your fee status, which we assess based on UK government legislation.

For more information on the funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Fees and Funding website.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees (Home and EU students)

2019 entry

Full-time

£13,250 per year

Part-time (two years)

£6,625 per year

Part-time (three years)

£4,417 per year

* Please note that the tuition fee amount you will pay may increase each year.

Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2019 will apply to fees for the academic year 2019–2020.

Tuition fees (Overseas and Islands students)

2019 entry

Full-time

£31,250 per year

Part-time (two years)

£15,625 per year

Part-time (three years)

£10,417 per year

* Please note that the tuition fee amount you will pay may increase each year.

Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2019 will apply to fees for the academic year 2019–2020.

Postgraduate Master's loan

If you are a Home or EU student who meets certain criteria, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan of up to £10,280 from the UK government. The loan is not means-tested, and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.

Scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students to support you through your studies. Try our scholarships search tool to see what you might be eligible for.

There are a number of external organisations also offer awards for Imperial students, find out more about non-Imperial scholarships.

Accommodation and living costs

Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.